Dental management of the irradiated patient

Therapeutic doses of radiation to the head and neck region for cancer have a progressive and cumulative effect on the oral tissues. The undesirable oral manifestations viz. mucositis, xerostomia, radiation caries, mobility and hypersensitivity of teeth and osteoradionecrosis are reviewed along with the recommended treatment of choice viz. saliva substitutes for radiation induced xerostomia, topical applications of Nafloride phosphate gel to the teeth for protection against radiation carries, resilient lining material for dentures. (author)